Does it belong to J.R.R. Tolkien, who wrote the prelude to his "Lord of the Rings" books? Does it belong to Peter Jackson, who made those books into hugely successful films? Or does it belong to the fans, who have helped the books and films endure? | Dec. 13, 2012»Read Full Article(4)

A stone is placed on the end of a garden hose. A pattern of water blossoms forth from under it. Another stone’s surface would produce different fluid forms in the water. Peter Barrickman used this analogy to describe his move from 631 Center St, which tragically burned along with many other artists’ spaces in July, to his new studio. His creativity is the water issuing from the hose, the rock his new digs. His artwork is different. The painter Peter Barrickman is changed.

Deluge is also an appropriate description of my meeting with the artist himself. We were joined by Mary Louise and artist Santiago Cucullu to talk about his recent show at the Green Gallery East, called “Guesthouse”. For an hour we dug into references, ideas and reflections. Barrickman has a fierce intellect and an artist’s eye. Everything is magnified. His thoughts on, well, anything are apt, deep and weird. | Dec. 13, 2012»Read Full Blog Post

A commenter on my earlier Golden Globes blog was grateful to see that "Salmon Fishing on the Yemen," got three nominations, including best picture for comedy or musical.

"Salmon Fishing in the Yemen," about a scientist invited by a shiekh to introduce salmon fishing to a Mideast nation, did play here for four weeks. You just missed it. | Dec. 13, 2012»Read Full Blog Post

The Golden Globes for film and television were announced Thursday, confirming that awards season is upon us.

Although the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the group that hands them out, is regarded as a joke whose votes are easily influenced, their awards are taken somewhat seriously by studios, which use them as a marketing and promotional tool. | Dec. 13, 2012»Read Full Blog Post(1)

If you're reading this that means the world didn't end yesterday. But according to the Mayan calendar, we still have another shot at it on Dec. 21, so get your holiday shopping in early.

And plan to take in one of the finest show bands in the Midwest--The Booze Brothers. They're on "a mission to bring soul" to the Mitchall Domes as tonight's headliners in the "Music Under Glass" series. Who is hotter-- the two guys in the black suits or The Horn Section? You be the judge. | Dec. 13, 2012»Read Full Blog Post